Just as Mingshi Yin was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly asked, “Master, that Zhang He is really weak. Can I… Can I be the commander?”

Lu Zhou looked at Mingshi Yin with a profound gaze and asked, “Do you really want to be the commander?”

Mingshi Yin said righteously, “I’m not someone who breaks promises or betrays others. In fact, even if Emperor Xuanyi personally begged me, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.”

“You may leave.”

‘Out of sight, out of mind.’

“I’ll take my leave now, master.”

Mingshi Yin turned around and left Southern Split Mountain.

…

Before dawn.

Lu Zhou continued to study the Heaven Scroll. Perhaps, he was in the Great Void, but the pressure he felt when studying the Heaven Scroll was no longer as severe. He could even clearly sense the existence of the merit stone. It was very, very far away in some unknown place.

Lu Zhou wondered out loud, “Could the system be the merit stone?”

Lu Zhou opened up the system interface and looked at his information.

Name: Lu Zhou

Race: Human

Merit points: 0

Remaining lifespan: 93,872,744 days (257,000 years)

Items: Deadly Strike Card x1, Golden Taixu Mirror, Reversal Card x360,000

Mounts: Whitzard, Bi’an, Ji Liang, Qiong Qi, Dang Kang, Dijiang, Ying Zhao, Lu Wu

Weapons: Unnamed, Purple Glazed Ceramic (infinite), Pillar of Impermanence, Confinement Seal(fusion)

Lu Zhou had seen this panel many times when he was in the abyss. Due to the increase in his cultivation, it would probably be difficult to obtain merit points now. The endless lucky draws only resulted in Reversal Cards. Since he had more than 250,000 years of life, he did not plan to use the Reversal Cards.

After activating 30 Birth Charts, every additional Birth Chart would increase his lifespan by 50,000 years, which exceeded his expectations. However, looking at it now, it was just a string of numbers.

He still needed to improve his blue avatar. Currently, it had 14 leaves and seven Birth Charts.

Lu Zhou thought about divine soul pearls. The blue avatar was not restrained so he could use any life hearts to upgrade it. The best choice was to use fierce beasts’ divine soul pearls.

Lu Zhou thought to himself, ‘There’s no rush. I should confirm my disciples’ situations first.’

Then, he closed his eyes and continued to comprehend the Heaven Scroll. The divine power on its body glowed fainter than before as the electric arcs began to change.

…

In the morning.

Xuanyi appeared near the hall.

Nan Li flew over from the distance. After landing, he said in a strange voice, “Great Divine King Xuanyi, please don’t take offense at the lack of hospitality over the past few days.”

Xuanyi replied with a smile, “After the true fire is gone, it’s much more comfortable to stay here than before.”

“Really?”

“Would I lie to you?”

“Then stay a few more days.”

“No need. There are still many matters to attend to in Xuanyi Palace,” Xuanyi said as he cupped his fists together at Nan Li.

Swoosh!

Lu Zhou appeared outside the hall.

The duo called out, “Pavilion Master Lu.”

Soon after, Zhang He and the other cultivators from Xuanyi Palace arrived as well.

Zhang He said, “Your Majesty, everything has been prepared.”

Xuanyi asked, “Pavilion Master Lu, do you intend to stay here or return to Xuanyi Palace?”

“Let’s return together,” Lu Zhou said as he clasped his hands on his back.

Not long after, Lu Zhou, Xuanyi, and the others flew away.

As they flew, Lu Zhou suddenly asked, “How’s the situation at Grand Mystic Mountain?”

At the mention of Grand Mystic Mountain, Xuanyi looked to the left and right before he replied in a low voice, “The ten halls made it part of the forbidden land in the Great Void. No one’s even allowed to go near it. After all, Grand Mystic Mountain is your territory. Everyone’s afraid of the Unholy One.”

“Forbidden land?” Lu Zhou frowned.

Xuanyi said, “I understand teacher’s feelings very well. If you really want to go, I’ll think of a way.”

“There’s no rush,” Lu Zhou said.

Then, the duo flew into a nearby flying chariot followed by Zhang He and the others.

Subsequently, the flying chariot vanished into the horizons.

After they left, the cultivators of Southern Split Mountain quickly gathered on one of the platforms.

Some of them could not hold it in any longer and asked, “Divine King, do you plan to take back the southern true fire?”

Nan Li looked at the horizon and said, “The southern true fire is a divine fire, but it’s not very useful. It’s not a bad thing that he took it away.”

When everyone sighed upon hearing these words, Nan Li said with a smile, “Do all of you think I’m stupid? Did you not see Great Divine King Xuanyi’s attitude? Early in the morning, Pavilion Master did not go to him. Instead, he came to Pavilion Master Lu. Even when they boarded the flying chariot, he was flying slightly Pavilion Master Lu. Although he tried to hide it from me, his attitude didn’t escape my notice.”

“Divine King, who is he exactly?”

Everyone was puzzled by Nan Li’s words.

Nan Li looked ahead silently. When the sun rose in the east, it shone on the platforms of Southern Split Mountain. After a long time, he finally said, “Do your duties. No one’s to interfere in the ten halls’ affairs. If anyone disobeys, they’ll be expelled from the mountain.”

“Understood.”

…

The Flaming Sea in the south of the Endless Ocean.

In a hall.

The Four Vajras bowed.

“Your Majesty, Mr. Ri didn’t disappoint. He easily defeated Zhang He of Xuanyi Palace. Zhang He’s no match for him at all.”

“Mr. Duanmu didn’t use his full strength, but he fought to a draw with Zhang He.”

The Scarlet Emperor nodded slightly, revealing a satisfied expression. He said, “All those years of cultivation haven’t been in vain.” He rose to his feet and said, “Call them over. We’ll officially issue a challenge to Xuanyi Palace.”

The Four Vajras: “…”

“Wait!”

Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng walked in from outside.

Mingshi Yin said, “Let’s challenge another hall. We can’t afford to offend Xuanyi Palace.”

“Can’t afford to offend them?” The Scarlet Emperor frowned. “Why do you say that?”

“Xuanyi Palace is filled with experts. I… I’m really no match for them,” Mingshi Yin said with a slightly bitter expression.

The Scarlet Emperor chuckled. “Before you left, didn’t you claim you’re invincible among Dao Saints?”

Slap!

Mingshi Yin suddenly raised his hand and slapped his mouth. “That’s the folly of youth; I’m too ignorant! I beg Your Majesty to spare me!”

The Scarlet Emperor was truly at a loss over Mingshi Yin’s sudden change in style.

“I remember there aren’t many experts in Xuanyi Palace. Dao Saint Li Chun and Dao Saint Zhang He are no match for you. Don’t tell me Great Divine King Xuanyi personally made a move?”

“No, no, no, there’s another person. Faced with him, I’m no different from an ant,” Miingshi Yin said with a sigh.

“Hm?” The Scarlet Emperor’s curiosity was piqued. “I’d like to know who’s able to make you say such words.”

Mingshi Yin said sheepishly, “I think he’s Great Divine King Xuanyi’s helper.”

The Scarlet Emperor looked at the Four Vajras for confirmation.

One of the Vajras said, “What Mr. Ri said is true.”

Mingshi Yi frowned. “If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, then forget it. I won’t disturb Your Majesty.”

Then, Mingshi Yin looked at Duanmu Sheng meaningfully before they both walked out.

The Scarlet Emperor did not stop the duo. After the duo left, he scoffed and said, “I asked all of you to assist them and monitor them.”

The Four Vajras fell to their knees at once. “We know our mistakes!”

“Who’s that person?”

The four Vajras were extremely embarrassed.

“We didn’t have a good look.”

“To be able to defeat both of them, he has to be a Dao Saint or stronger. How can you not have a good look?” The Scarlet Emperor’s expression turned solemn.

The four Vajras looked at each other, feeling extremely wronged.

“Perhaps, the disparity in strength is too great so we couldn’t see him clearly. After all, even Mr. Ri suffered a crushing defeat at the other party’s hand.”

The Scarlet Emperor was speechless. He wanted to reprimand them, but when he thought that the other party might really be an expert, he waved his sleeve and said, “You may leave.”

“Understood.”

The four Vajras turned around and left.

…

Xuanyi Palace.

After returning, Xuanyi received a letter. After reading it, he tossed the letter aside and said, “It came so quickly. Inform Zhang He to get ready. A new challenger has appeared.”

“Understood.”

…

When the letter was delivered to the Dark Hall, Zhang He was surprised. He frowned after he read the letter. “The Azure Emperor is even more anxious than the Scarlet Emperor! Does he think I’m so easy to bully?”

Li Chun, who was standing at the side, asked with a smile, “What’s the matter?”

“I… lost at Southern Split Mountain,” Zhang He said somewhat angrily.

Upon hearing this, Li Chun exclaimed in surprise, “You were actually defeated?”

“Fortunately, Pavilion Master Lu made a move and defeated the opponents. Otherwise, my position as commander would’ve been lost long ago,” Zhang He said with a sigh.

Li Chun nodded and said, “I see. So it’s the Azure Emperor this time?”

“Who else can it be?” Zhang He scoffed. “Does he really think I’m so easy to bully?”

“I suggest you ask Pavilion Master Lu for advice. He’s mysterious and unpredictable. If he can defeat the Scarlet Emperor’s people, he’ll have a way to defeat the Azure Emperor’s people,” Li Chun said.

“You have a point.”

With that, the duo walked toward the place where the Evil Sky Pavilion’s people stayed. Not long after, they arrived at Lu Zhou’s courtyard.

Coincidentally, some of the others from the Evil Sky Pavilion were also present.

“What’s the matter?” Lu Zhou asked.

Li Chun smiled and told Lu Zhou everything. Then, he said, “This matter concern the dignity of Xuanyi Palace and the position of commander. I hope Brother Lu can advise us.”

“The Azure Emperor’s people are coming?” Lu Zhou asked.

“The letter of challenge has been sent. They should be arriving in a few days,” Li Chun said, “We’re pressed for time. We have to think of a foolproof plan to defeat the opponents.”